A long lost T.S. Eliot cat poem was recently unearthed after 50 years. The discovery of Cumberleylaude the Gourmet Cat who ‘has a love of salmon, duck and expensive French wines’ has created extensive excitement in the literary world, with Andrew Lloyd Webber even rumoured to be rewriting the musical Cats to give him a part.
Despite the fact he was kept hidden for 50 years, we’re wondering if our new literary cat who is ‘a particularly fastidious eater’ is in fact a feline ahead of his time. An increasing number of people are ditching mass-produced pet foods in favour of cooking their own gourmet meals for their beloved pets, and several books on the subject have been published. It appears that this is a new and growing trend among cat and dog owners who want to give their pets a wholesome diet.
So why are more and more people resorting to cooking gourmet meals for their pets? For many, it’s as a result of their pet having an underlying medical condition – whether it’s weight gain, or issues such as irritable bowel syndrome. Indeed, many owners believe that their pet’s health condition is actually caused by off-the shelf foods that use low grade waste ingredients such as animal feet, eyes, necks, intestines and other carcass parts that would otherwise be thrown away. Other owners believe that all animals are individuals, and should be treated as such. Why would a Great Dane have the same nutritional requirements as a Chihuahua?
The question is, does cooking for your pet help increase their lifespan? There’s no evidence to suggest it does, and you do have to be very careful with what you feed them as you could actually cause bigger health problems. Vets warn that, if you're going to cook for your pet, you need to formulate a diet that has all the right nutrients, plus supplements, and in all the right proportions. It’s not as easy as it sounds. You should also be aware that there are some foods that are toxic to cats and dogs. They include onions, garlic, raisins, grapes, chocolate and macadamia nuts.
It’s a sad fact of life that pets do, and will, get unwell from time to time. Visits to the vet can be expensive, and if people can avoid this expense by cooking for their pet, then they will. But you could inadvertently cause bigger issues, so it’s best to seek advice from an expert before changing their diet. And if you’re worried about the ongoing cost of vet’s fees, then think about taking out some pet insurance. The earlier you start a policy the better, and it can save you thousands in the long run.
To compare prices on pet insurance, visit PayingTooMuch.com or call on 01243 784000
